The human body has a natural tendency to maintain homeostasis.
This biological principle ensures internal stability regardless of external conditions, crucial for survival across various environments.
To elevate our health and fitness levels, however, we must challenge this inherent inclination by stepping out of our comfort zones.
The Background of Homeostasis
Our bodies and minds are naturally designed to resist change. This instinctual drive, known as homeostasis, has been incredibly beneficial to the evolutionary success of humans. It enables the body to maintain internal stability and function efficiently across a wide range of environments globally. The downside of this adaptability is that once acclimated to certain conditions, our minds and bodies become highly resistant to deviations from this new norm. If no substantial change occurs, there is little incentive for further adaptation. After all, change demands significant mental and physical effort, which in historical contexts, could have meant the difference between life and death.
In today's world, the stakes are different. We are not typically faced with life-threatening consequences when we push for change, yet our evolutionary programming still plays a significant role in how we react to new challenges. This resistance to change is not merely a survival mechanism but a deeply ingrained part of our psychology. In the past, homeostasis was incredibly valuable for life itself. Today, however, prolonged homeostasis will result in a decrease in both quality and quantity of life.
The Role of Discomfort in Growth
Discomfort is the predecessor to improvement. The reason something feels uncomfortable is that we are accustomed to the way things are. Anything outside of established routines or expectations can be inherently challenging and uncomfortable, requiring adaptation. However, if we consistently remain within these norms, the mind and body have no reason to improve in any measurable way.
To see continued progress—whether it be additional muscle gain, decreased body fat, improved training performance, or otherwise—we must continually push ourselves just out of our comfort zones. Staying within our comfort zones does not provide the body with enough stimulus to improve. We simply cannot get better through sheer mental will alone.
The only way to improve your mind and body is to do something uncomfortable. If it’s not uncomfortable in some way, shape, or form, then it’s not enough to make a meaningful enough difference to spur improvement.
Overcoming Plateaus with a Resilient Mindset
Understanding there is a plateau usually comes down to having clear and sound goals. When progress towards that goal has stalled for a sustained period (usually 2 or more weeks), it’s a good sign that something likely needs to change.
More valuable than the particular variable that gets tweaked to get progress back on track is the mental understanding that discomfort is needed for that progress to take place. One of the biggest reasons long-lasting change is not common is due to an individual's unwillingness to bear discomfort. Again, in the past, discomfort was something to be avoided due to the potential life-threatening impacts it could bring. In today’s world, discomfort is necessary for growth. Being unwilling to face discomfort is being unwilling to improve yourself.
Understand that discomfort is the necessary spark that ignites change.
Minimum Effective Dose
Discomfort is necessary, but not all discomfort needs to be maximally intolerable. Pursuing the most uncomfortable option might stimulate growth, but it isn't conducive to long-term progress.
For sustainable and predictable improvement, employing a 'minimum effective dose' of discomfort—or change—is advisable. This involves making adjustments just significant enough to catalyze progress without overwhelming and potentially disrupting other areas of your life.
Mental and physical betterment is a lifelong journey. With potentially decades to evolve, even a 1% improvement per week can transform you into a markedly different individual over just a few years.
To Review
To surpass the inherent limitations set by homeostasis and achieve meaningful health and fitness improvements, embracing discomfort is indispensable.
Whether it’s pushing past physical plateaus or adopting new mental strategies, the path to growth is paved with challenges.
Remember, the goal isn't to overwhelm yourself with discomfort but to find that minimum effective dose that continuously fosters growth and resilience. Incremental changes, when consistently applied, can lead to profound transformations over time, enhancing both the quality and longevity of life.